Fruit sizing machine



Dec. 8, 1936. A. F. ALLEN FRUIT SIZING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17, 1934 5 SheetS-Sheell 2 Dec. 8, 1936. A. F. ALLEN FRUIT SIZING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Qfg ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 1 Claim.

'Ihis invention relates generally to machines for classifying fruit in accordance with size. Such machines are of value to orchardists or packing houses where size specifications must be taken into account.

In general it is an object of the invention to provide an improved machine of the above character. More specifically, the improved features of my invention can be outlined as followst-Simplicity of construction and operation; high capacity for a given size machine; accuracy and reliability of operation, particularly when applied to fruit having physical characteristics like apricots; provision for quickly clearing the machine in the event fruit becomes lodged between the bars of the sizing grid; a latitude of iiexibility and adjustment enabling operation upon a variety of fruits; and portability of the machine as a whole, to enable eld operations.

Further objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View, in cross-section, illustrating a machine incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a back View of the machine as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front View of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a modification of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a detail in plan, showing the construction of a sizing grid.

In that form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the machine is provided with a frame I0 for supporting the various operating parts. The frame includes rear vertical corner posts II which are secured to the front corner posts I2 by the longitudinal frame members I3 and I4. As operating parts carried by this frame, there is a sizing grid I6 formed as an extension of a ramp Il. Overlying the ramp I'I there is a second ramp I8, the purpose of'which will be presently explained. Underlying the sizing grid I6 and the ramp I'I there is a structure I9 which in part forms means for dislodging articles of fruit becoming jammed between the grid" bars.

The sizing grid I6 and the ramp Il extend between the side boards 2E I which in turn are secured to the corner posts II and I2 of the supporting frame. 'Ihe ramps I l and I8 preferably are carried by an assembly which is removable as a unit from the remainder of the machine. Thus, ramp I'I is in the form of a flat board or plate which is secured to the lower edges of side walls or boards 5 21. The upper edges of side walls 21 are likewise secured together by bars or slats 28 and 29, while the front of the space between the walls 2l is enclosed by wall 3l. At the back of the machine there is a cross-bar 32 which extends between the 10 posts I I and which serves to carry the rear edge of the ramp Il. The lower or forward edge of ramp Il rests upon a cleat 33 which forms a part of the sizing grid I 8, as will be presently eX- plained. A cleat 34. on the rear edge of ramp 15 I'I serves to prevent normal displacement, although permitting side walls 21 and the parts secured to the same to be lifted as a unit free of the machine.

Ramp I8 can be in the form of a board or plate, 20 as shown, secured to a suitable frame 36. Pivot pins 3l serve to secure the rear edge of the frame to the side walls 2l,whi1e the forward portion can be adjustably carried by pins 38.

Arranged beneath the lower end of ramp I8 25 there is a flexible apron or baffle 4I. 'Ihis apron can be made of suitable material, such as canvas, and is for the purpose of receiving articles of fruit delivered from the ramp I8 and to be delivered with a rolling motion uponthe ramp 30 Il. Fig. 1 illustrates suitable means for supporting this apron. Its upper horizontal edge is secured to a cross-bar 42 which in turn has its ends secured to the side walls 21. 'Ihe lower horizontal edge of the apron is secured to a cleat 43 35 which in turn is secured to the upper face of ramp I'I. Suflicient slack is afforded so that the apron droops naturally, thereby presenting a concave face towards the front end of the machine.

Inr order that an operator may at any time in- 40 terrupt delivery of fruit from ramp I8, I have shown a gate 44 hinged to the lower edge of ramp I8. This gate may be moved to a vertical position, as shown in dotted lines, by pulling a cord 46 or like operating means.

The sizing grid I8 consists of a plurality of spaced parallel bars 4I, having their ends secured together by cleats 33 and 48. The upper edges of these bars are rounded, as shown in Fig. 2, the sides are tapered downwardly, and 5o the spacing between the bars is slightly greater than the diameter of fruit which it is desired to pass through the grid. In order toremovably support this grid in operating position with respect to ramp I'I, its upper end is shown car- 55 ried by bracket 5|, while its lower end rests upon lugs 52. Releasable latches 53 can also be provided for securely retaining the grid in proper position. Extending from the lower end of the sizing grid I6 there is an apron 54 for delivering the fruit into a suitable receiving means such as a box 56. As shown in Fig. 6, the discharge ends of the grid bars can be attened on the sides, as indicated at 55, thus in eiiect affording tapered ends to avoid jamming of fruit into the proximity of cleat 46. e

The structure I9, which underlies the sizing grid I6 and the ramp I1, is preferably constructed as followsz-A board or plate 51, which can be stiffened by cleats 58, has its upper end carried by retractable pivot bolts 59. The lower end of this board normally rests upon a cross member 6| which in turn has its ends secured to the corner posts I2. Fixed upon the upper side of board 51 and disposed directly below the sizing grid I6, arethe spaced parallel bars 62. These bars are narrower than the grid bars 41, and their positioning is such that when structure I9 is swung upwardly they are interposed between bars 41 to dislodge any articles or fruit which may have become jammed between the same.

As convenient means for swinging the structureY I9 upwardly, I have shown a pair of levers 63 which are pivotally carried by the side boards 2|. One arm of each lever 63 carries a roller 64, and each roller engages a shoe 66 which in turn is secured to the underside of board 51. The other arm of each lever 63 is operatively connected with a foot lever 61. The particular type of connection illustrated includes a beam 68 extending laterally of the machine and pivoted centrally to the cross-bar 69. One end of this beam is connected to foot lever 61 by a cord or cable 1I. 'The lever 63 on that side of the machine nearestthe foot lever 61 is directly connected to the corresponding end of beam 68, by means of cord 12. On the other side of the machine, lever 63 is connected to the corresponding end of beam 68 by means of a cord 13 which extends down over a pulley 14. Thus, upon depressing foot lever 61, both arms 63 are rotated to swing the structure I9 upwardly against the underside of the sizing grid I6. Y

As will be presently explained, when the structure I9 is in its normal lowered position it receives undersized fruit passing through the sizing grid I6. In order to collect this fruit, there is shown a canvas baile wall 16 which deflects the fruit downwardly upon the lower flexible baiile 11. From this baie the fruit is discharged over an vapron 18 to the box 19 or like receiving means.

In addition to the provision for making various adjustments described above, it is desirable to provide means for varying the inclination of grid I6 and ramp I1. Thus, I have provided legs 8| for the rear end of the frame, which slidably extendbetween the cross-bars 82. Pins 83, extending through openings 84, serve to retain a desired adjustment.

Operation of my machine isas followsz-The operator first dumps a quantity of fruit upon the upper ramp I8, and, if desired, this fruit can be temporarily retained by having gate 44 in an upright position, thus affording an opportunity to pick out imperfect fruit. Upon lowering gate 44 the fruit drops down upon the exible baiile 4|, and from this baffle it is rolled upon ramp! I1. As the fruit rolls down ramp I1 it picks up considerable velocity and is then discharged upon the sizing grid I6. Oversized fruit rolls across the sizing grid I6 and is delivered to the box 56. Undersized fruit drops through the spaces between the grid bars and strikes the lower structure I9, from which it is immediately delivered to the box 19. If, during the operation of the machine, an article should become jammed between the grid bars 41, the operator momentarily depresses foot lever 61, to swing structure I9 upwardly, thereby causing the fruit to be dislodged by the bars 62. Structure I9 can be raised at any time to thus clear the machine, since, because of its l.greater inclination, undersized fruit is quickly discharged from the lower end of the same.

It will be noted that in the operation of my machine, fruit is always dropped at substantially the same point upon the flexible baflle or apron 4I, so that, with a given inclination for ramp I1, a predetermined amount of rolling motion will be imparted before delivery upon the sizing grid I6. I have discovered thatwith fruit having a` physical form comparable to apricots, rolling the fruit at a velocity above a given amount causes the fruit invariably to rise and roll upon its largest diameter. Thus, in` sizing fruit of this character the inclination of ramp` |1 is so adjusted `that the velocity imparted to each article of fruit causes sizing upon its smallest diameter. In other words, before each apricot is delivered upon the sizing grid I6 it is rolling upon an axis substantially normal toI the plane of its suture and at rightrangles 'to the direction of `movement, whereby when it rolls upon the sizing grid the smallest diameter is the important factor in determining whether the article continues over the grid or falls therethrough.

It will also be evident from the above thatv my machine can be operated at a relatively high capacity. In fact, when operating upon apricots the machine will properly size the fruit practically as, fast as the fruit can be delivered to the machine by an operator. At the same time, however, the machine can be made sufliciently compact and light to enable operation in the eld.

kAside from the various adjustments afforded for the machine, which have been mentioned, the removable sizing grid makes it possible for an operator to select a sizing grid constructed in accordance with the nature of sizing required. In otherwords, each machine may be supplied with a plurality of sizing grids having diierent spacing between their bars, whereby a grid which will produce the sizing desired can be employed. Likewise, various structures I9 can be provided to insure proper operation with various sizing grids.

Under certain conditions, or when operating upon certain types of fruit, it is desirable to divide the fruit into three sizes or grades, namely, large size, medium size, and undersize fruit. A modification of the machine, making such operation possible, is shown in Fig. 5. Thus, below the structure I9 there is a second ramp 86 which is inclined downwardly toward the rear of the machine. A sizing grid 81 extends from the lower end of ramp 86 and serves to` deliver fruit upon a discharge apron 88. Fruit dropped from the lower end of the structure I9 is received upon a cloth baiile 89, which serves to roll the fruit upon the ramp 86. Below the sizing grid 81 there is a structure 9 I, having its upper end supported by a hinge 92, and provided with spaced slats or bars 93. The spacing between bars 93 is such that when the structure 9| is swung upward- `'15 ly these bars are interposed between the bars of the sizing grid 81, to expel any articles of fruit which may have become jammed.

As in the previous modification, structure I9 of Fig. 5 may be swung upwardly by the pivoted levers 94. Operating cords 96 can be connected to these levers, and likewise an operating cord 91 can be connected to structure 9|. The remainder of the machine shown in Fig. 5 is substantially the same as that of Fig. 1, it being understood that when the machine is operating, the structural unit carrying ramps I1 and I8 is supported by the frame, with the lower end of ramp I1 terminating at the upper end of sizing grid IB. The spacing between the bars of sizing grid 81 is somewhat less than the spacing aiorded for the sizing grid I6, so that of the fruit passing through the grid I6, a certain amount, conforming to an intermediate size,

will not pass through the grid 81 but will be delivered to a container 98.

Operation of the modication shown in Fig. 5 is the same as the modication i'lrst described. The essential diierence is that the fruit passing through grid I6 is again subjected toy sizing upon grid 81, and before being delivered upon this grid a predetermined amount of rolling movement is afforded to it.

I claim:

In a machine of the character described for the handling of non-spherical fruit, a sizing grid, and means for causing fruit to roll upon the sizing grid with suflicient velocity to cause the fruit to roll upon their largest diameters, said sizing grid including spaced bars extending in the direction of the movement of the fruit.

ARTHUR F. ALLEN. 

